Lumpy skin disease is a contagious disease of cattle of Punjab killing more than 400 cattle in the last month spread through bites.
Lumpy skin disease is spread through direct contact or bite of mosquito, fly, louse etc. According to Ram Pal Mittal, Joint Director, Punjab Animal Husbandry Department, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Moga and Muktsar are among the most affected districts of the state due to this disease. Mittal said that on July 4, the first confirmed case of ‘Lumpy’ skin disease was reported in Punjab. He said that around 20,000 cases of LSD have been registered in Punjab so far and 424 cattle have died.
According to the report issued by the Animal Husbandry Department, the animal infected with lumpi should be isolated from others to avoid the possibility of spreading the infection.
It has been said in the advisory that the movement of cattle should also be restricted. Animals affected by lumpi should be given green fodder and a liquid diet. Mittal said that the animal owners should maintain cleanliness and spray disinfectant in the cattle shed. The state government has already instructed the field veterinary staff to intensify the campaign for the prevention of infectious diseases. The government has also ordered that veterinary officers should be deputed with immediate effect in the most affected districts.
Lumpy skin disease is a contagious disease, which is spread by the bite or direct contact of mosquitoes, flies, lice etc. or through contaminated food or water. Due to this, along with the emergence of all the symptoms in the animals, there is also a risk of their death. Most of the infected cows have been reported from gaushalas and dairy farms
Talking with journalists, Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the lumpy skin disease is spreading especially in cows and many districts of the state have come under the grip of this disease. He directed the officers of the department to visit the sheds of the cattle owners daily and take necessary steps to prevent the animals from getting infected with this disease.